Author Topic: Ray the Rat  (Read 285537 times)

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Offline Freud

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Ray the Rat
« on: February 28, 2014, 12:34:46 AM »
I am very sorry to report that we lost Ray the Rat (Ray Buck) today.

His heart had been carrying a heavy load for a long time and an infection

that he picked up in Death Valley was the cause of his death.

A severe infection and an ailing heart were too much for him.

He was coming to my house and he made it to within 5 blocks.

RIP in peace my friend.

FREUD

Since '63

Offline Speed Limit 1000

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Re: Ray the Rat
« Reply #1 on: February 28, 2014, 12:43:18 AM »
Ray was an inspiration, his photos bring things to life. He will always be remembered and missed. It was a joy to spend time with him. RIP my friend.
John Gowetski, red hat @ 221.183 MPH MSA Lakester, Bockscar #1000 60 ci normally aspirated w/N20

Offline salt27

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Re: Ray the Rat
« Reply #2 on: February 28, 2014, 01:08:19 AM »
Gone too soon, God speed.

Offline tauruck

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Re: Ray the Rat
« Reply #3 on: February 28, 2014, 01:09:47 AM »
I'm sorry I never got to meet you in person Ray.

God Bless you man. Rest in Peace.


Offline 4-barrel Mike

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Re: Ray the Rat
« Reply #4 on: February 28, 2014, 01:29:54 AM »
Damn! damn! damn!

I thought he looked bad Friday eve, but damn!

Sleep well, brother.  I'll always treasure our conversations in my truck to and from the PT boat tour.

Damn!

Mike
Mike Kelly - PROUD owner of the V4F that powered the #1931 VGC to a 82.803 mph record in 2008!

Offline Peter Jack

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Re: Ray the Rat
« Reply #5 on: February 28, 2014, 02:31:21 AM »
I'm so sorry to hear this. Rest in peace Ray. You'll be sorely missed by many. You were definitely one of the best.

Pete

Offline saltwheels262

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Re: Ray the Rat
« Reply #6 on: February 28, 2014, 06:17:34 AM »
RIP, Ray.

glad to have known you the bit that I did.

Bill Franey
bub '07 - 140.293 a/pg   120" crate street mill  
bub '10 - 158.100  sweetooth gear
lta  7/11 -163.389  7/17/11; 3 run avg.-162.450
ohio -    - 185.076 w/#684      
lta 8/14  - 169.xxx. w/sw2           
'16 -- 0 runs ; 0 events

" it's not as easy as it looks. "
                            - franey  8/2007

Offline PorkPie

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Re: Ray the Rat
« Reply #7 on: February 28, 2014, 06:38:06 AM »
What a lost.

Ray, my wonderful friend, rest in peace........I will never forget you
Pork Pie

Photoartist & Historian & 200 MPH Club Member (I/GL 202.8 mph in the orig. Bockscar #1000)

gkabbt

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Re: Ray the Rat
« Reply #8 on: February 28, 2014, 07:01:36 AM »
Made a special point to meet Ray at the 2009 Salt Talks.

Godspeed, Ray Buck.

Gregg Adams

Offline Elmo Rodge

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Re: Ray the Rat
« Reply #9 on: February 28, 2014, 08:41:20 AM »
Ray always acted real good around me. Our paths crossed quite a few times at Bonneville and the Rat Fink Reunion. We're all going to miss him. He's been a big part of this place. Wayno

Offline Finallygotit

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Re: Ray the Rat
« Reply #10 on: February 28, 2014, 09:06:58 AM »
Rest in peace Ray.  D@MN!  :-(
Dan
Tucson, AZ

Offline Seldom Seen Slim

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Re: Ray the Rat
« Reply #11 on: February 28, 2014, 09:13:43 AM »
Oh Ray, we hardly knew ye.

Let's all take some solace in knowing the we all, here on this Forum and this website, helped Ray gain some of his fame.  A good handful of years ago Nancy and I ran across him at the salt an, in our own way, helped him start taking more and more photos from Bonneville.  He was already an accomplished photographer of car stuff -- and he became one of the top shelf photographers at the salt.  He was brilliant, he was cranky, and most of all -- he was great to know.

His legacy will live on as long as this site is up and running, for we've got untold hundreds of his photos in the Gallery and other places here.  He was wise enough to have placed his watermark on his work - so you'll be able to tell which shots are his.  I hope that that alone will cut down on the number of times his work is taken and used without giving him the credit he is due for the photos.

An iconic shot of his"  How about the picture he took when Tom Burkland came into the pits "hot" at the Shootout five years ago?  Ray caught the car with four (out of all four) wheels in the air.  You don't see that in land speed racing very often.  Thanks to Ray -- we can see it again and again.

Rest in peace, my friend.  Say hi to Bill and Dr. Bob while you're at it, okay?
Jon E. Wennerberg
 a/k/a Seldom Seen Slim
 Skandia, Michigan
 (that's way up north)
2 Club member x2
Owner of landracing.com

Offline Milwaukee Midget

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Re: Ray the Rat
« Reply #12 on: February 28, 2014, 09:37:34 AM »
Geez - I met Ray in 2010.  He was shooting pics, and really getting serious about getting the Monte ready to roll. 

Ray brought Bonneville home to us who couldn't attend every meet.  For that, I'll be always grateful.

Godspeed, Ray.
"Problems are almost always a sign of progress."  Harold Bettes
Well, I guess we're making a LOT of progress . . .  :roll:

Offline Stainless1

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Re: Ray the Rat
« Reply #13 on: February 28, 2014, 09:38:43 AM »
The Tom Burkland shot is hanging in his Living Room, along with a hundred more everywhere in the house, chronicling his journey through life and his love for automobiles.  Visiting his site you see all types of auto action shots and beauty shots, he loved the camera from the backside.  
When we talked at the NW Reunion he said he was wearing out, coughing and having some breathing issues... but not to worry, he was getting over it.  
Ray my friend, you will be missed on this earth, and especially on this forum.  Your gift was a gift to all of us.
GodSpeed Ray
Stainless
Red Hat 228.039, 2001, 65ci, Bockscar Lakester #1000 with a little N2O

Offline Cameradude

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Re: Ray the Rat
« Reply #14 on: February 28, 2014, 10:04:20 AM »
RIP Ray.  He was a great ambassador for LSR and his shots were memorable.  We will miss him.
Go fast, be safe, drive it like you stole it. Love life, your friends and the USA.